The hum of the pickup truck's engine and the upbeat rhythm of the music filled the cab as Elena and Mira sang along with their favorite songs. The full moon was rising, casting a silver glow over the winding forest road that led them to their family’s traditional gathering at the forest lake.

Elena, the elder sister, tapped her fingers on the steering wheel in time with the music. “I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since we’ve been to the lake,” she said, her voice a mixture of excitement and nostalgia.

Mira, her younger sister, leaned back in the passenger seat with a carefree smile. “I know! And this year, I’m totally ready to absorb some moon magic. I’ve been practicing my spellwork.”

“Just don’t get too carried away,” Elena chuckled. “Remember last year? You nearly turned Dad into a toad.”

Mira laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “That was an accident. I’m way better now. Besides, you were the one who forgot the incantation for the moon shield.”

As they continued down the road, the moonlight danced through the treetops, creating a magical tapestry of shadows. But suddenly, a blinding, ethereal light appeared directly in their path. Elena’s eyes widened in shock as the light intensified, flooding the truck’s interior with a dazzling brilliance.

“Mira, look out!” Elena shouted, but the overwhelming light swallowed her voice.

The truck skidded uncontrollably, tires screeching against the gravel. Elena tried to steer, but the vehicle lurched violently. Before she could react, the truck crashed into a massive oak tree with a bone-jarring impact.

The world went dark for Elena.

When she came to, she was slumped against the steering wheel. Her head throbbed, and her vision was blurred. The smell of burnt rubber and gasoline filled the air. She groaned and blinked slowly, forcing herself to focus.

“Mira!” Elena called, her voice strained. She turned to her sister, who was slumped over the dashboard, blood trickling down from a gash on her forehead. Mira was unconscious, her breathing shallow.

Elena’s heart raced as she fought through the haze of pain. She fumbled for the small leather pouch she kept for emergencies, her fingers trembling as she extracted a worn charm. This charm, a family heirloom, held a faint but potent magic. She murmured the incantation under her breath, concentrating hard as a soft blue light enveloped her hand.

The warmth of the magic flowed into her, easing some of her pain and restoring her strength. She pushed herself out of the truck, her legs shaky but functional. Just as she was about to check on Mira, a strange sensation overwhelmed her—a rush of cold air and an unfamiliar, whispering presence.

Elena gasped, feeling as though she were breathing in something intangible. Her eyes widened as she realized a new energy was coursing through her, settling into her very core. The sensation was both unsettling and invigorating.

Suddenly, the truck began to shake violently, the ground beneath it quivering as if the earth itself were alive. Elena stumbled back, trying to regain her balance. The vehicle’s metal creaked and groaned, and she saw the undercarriage glowing with an eerie, pulsating light.

“W-What's happening!” Elena cried out. She stepped out of the truck, but with one foot out of the truck, she went back inside because the ground wasn’t there anymore. The truck's tires spun wildly, and a blinding light erupted from beneath it, revealing a swirling portal opening up right where the truck was parked.

Elena’s eyes were drawn to the portal, its swirling depths beckoning with an otherworldly allure. As the portal widened, the truck began to fall—along with Elena and Mira—into its depths. Elena held Mira, trying desperately to reach her sister, with all the chaos her eyes went black.

Elena’s eyes fluttered open to the gentle caress of morning sunlight filtering through a canopy of vibrant green leaves. The sky above was a soft, clear blue, a stark contrast to the chaotic night she remembered. She groaned softly, her body aching from the crash, but she was alive.

As she tried to sit up, she noticed Mira lying beside her, still unconscious. To Elena’s astonishment, the blood on Mira’s forehead had vanished completely, and in its place was smooth, unblemished skin. Around Mira, a curious sight unfolded. Tiny, ethereal bunnies with shimmering fur nuzzled at Mira’s forehead, their delicate noses brushing against the spot where the wound had been.

Elena blinked in disbelief. “What…?” she whispered, reaching out tentatively. The bunnies seemed to notice her, their eyes bright with an almost intelligent gleam. They didn’t scurry away but instead hopped back, their soft, luminous forms bouncing lightly as they made way for Elena.

Taking in her surroundings, Elena realized they were no longer in the forest they had known. The landscape was otherworldly—lush, impossibly vibrant, with trees that seemed to hum gently in the breeze and flowers that sparkled with an iridescent glow. The air was filled with a sweet, unfamiliar scent, and the ground was soft beneath her, like walking on a bed of moss.

Elena’s heart raced with a mix of fear and wonder. She had no idea where they were or how they had ended up here. She needed to get Mira awake and figure out their next move, but as she reached out to shake her sister gently, the rustle of leaves nearby froze her in place.

A twig snapped somewhere off to the side, and Elena’s head whipped around. Her pulse quickened, and she held her breath, straining to hear any other sounds that might give away the source of the noise. The bunnies had scattered, vanishing into the undergrowth as though sensing a presence.

The forest fell silent again, but the tension in the air was palpable. Elena’s eyes darted around, trying to spot anything or anyone that might be watching them. The calm, almost magical atmosphere of the place suddenly felt ominous.

“Mira…” Elena said softly, her voice trembling. She knew she had to wake her sister soon, but every instinct told her to remain on high alert. The noise could mean they weren’t alone, and the unknown landscape offered no guarantees of safety.

Elena took a deep breath and slowly stood, her gaze never leaving the area where the twig had snapped. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, ready to act at a moment’s notice.

The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, and Elena could almost hear her heartbeat in the quiet. She took a cautious step forward, her eyes scanning the dense foliage. Whatever or whoever had made the noise was still out there, and she was determined to find out what it was—before it found them.

POV: The Camp

The crackling of the campfire was the only sound that punctuated the growing silence. Liam sat on a log, trying to ignore the gnawing worry in his gut. The firelight cast flickering shadows on the faces of Elena and Mira's family, who were gathered around, chatting and waiting for the sisters to arrive.

“Where are they?” Mrs. Anderson’s voice trembled with a mix of concern and frustration. “They should have been here by now.”

Liam glanced at his phone for what felt like the hundredth time. The lack of signal had been a problem since they’d arrived at the lake, and he knew it was unlikely they’d be able to reach Elena and Mira. But the worry in Mrs. Anderson’s eyes and the stiff posture of Mr. Anderson made it clear they were all feeling the same mounting anxiety.

“They’re probably just running late,” Liam said, trying to sound reassuring. “They’ve got to be on their way.”

But even he wasn’t convinced. The moon was rising, casting a silvery glow over the forest, and it was almost time for the traditional moonlit ceremony they always celebrated. He glanced at the clock and then back at the darkening path leading to the lake. It was unusual for them to be this late.

As the moon reached its zenith, a palpable tension settled over the camp. The family’s chatter had died down, replaced by uneasy silence. Mrs. Anderson’s eyes darted to the path repeatedly, and Mr. Anderson tried his phone one more time before giving up with a resigned sigh.

“I’m going to check on them,” Liam said suddenly, standing up. “I’ll be back soon.”

Before anyone could protest, he slipped away from the campfire and into the woods. His heart pounded in his chest as he navigated the familiar trails, now shrouded in moonlit mystery. He’d been friends with Elena for years and had always been the one to help her out of tight spots. Tonight, he felt an urgent need to do the same.

He stopped at a clearing and took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. With a muttered incantation, he summoned his familiar—an elegant, gray owl with sharp eyes and silent wings. The owl fluttered down to his shoulder, and Liam released it, whispering directions.

“Find them. They should be somewhere along this path.”

The owl hooted softly and took flight, its wings slicing through the cool night air. Liam watched it disappear into the darkness, then began his search, following the owl’s path as best as he could. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of nocturnal creatures muted.

Minutes turned into hours, and Liam's anxiety grew with each passing moment. He wandered deeper into the forest, guided only by the occasional hoot of the owl. Just as he was starting to lose hope, the owl’s silhouette reappeared, and it swooped down to perch on a nearby branch.

Liam approached cautiously, his heart racing. “What did you find?”

The owl seemed agitated, its head swiveling as though it was watching something. Liam’s instincts flared, and he scanned the area for any signs of trouble.

A sudden rustling in the bushes made him freeze. His breath caught in his throat as a figure emerged from the shadows, grabbing him and covering his mouth. He struggled, but the figure’s strength was surprising. A soft, familiar voice whispered urgently in his ear.

“Shh! It’s me—Ronan.” Ugh, Elena's stuck-up fiancé.

Liam’s eyes widened in recognition, and he relaxed slightly. He was pulled behind a thick bush, where Ronan Hart, a tall, athletic young man with a stern expression, revealed his presence.

“Sorry to startle you,” the Ronan said quietly. “I saw something strange moving around the area and thought it best to stay hidden.”

Liam’s curiosity was piqued despite his fear. “What did you see?”

Ronan’s gaze was fixed on the clearing ahead. “Red armies are patrolling the area. They’re armed and seem to be searching for something—or someone.”

Liam’s eyes followed the Ronan’s gaze. Through the gaps in the foliage, he could make out shadowy figures moving stealthily. Their movements were methodical, and their weapons glinted faintly in the moonlight.

“We need to find out what they’re up to,” Ronan continued, his voice a low murmur. “But we have to be careful. If they’re armed, we don’t want to get caught.”